Every expectant parent deserves to know the power of the stem cells contained in their baby’s umbilical cord. Leading organizations have come together to present Cord Banking Basics, a source to help expecting parents make informed decisions about what to do with their babies’ stem cells.

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that all pregnant patients be provided with a “balanced perspective” on all cord blood options. These options include:

Save — Private Banking for potential family use

Donate — Public Banking for use by an unrelated person

Discard — Stem cells are discarded as medical waste

Welcomes You to Cord Banking Basics

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommends that all pregnant patients be provided with a "balanced perspective" on all cord blood options, to help make an informed decision to save, donate, or discard their babies' stem cells. Every expectant parent deserves to know the power of the stem cells contained in their baby's umbilical cord.

This educational resource was produced by Cord Blood Registry® in collaboration with the US Women's Health Alliance.

In Partnership with

What are Cord Blood Stem Cells?

Stem cells are immature cells that have the ability to become other kinds of cells that form organs and tissues. They are powerful, unique cells that are the building blocks of the body.

After a baby is born and the umbilical cord has been clamped and cut, some blood remains in the blood vessels of the placenta and the attached portion of the umbilical cord. This cord blood is rich in powerful hematopoietic (blood-forming) stem cells.

Currently, this type of stem cell (from cord blood and other sources) has been used to treat more than 1 million people.1

Current Treatments with Cord Blood Stem Cells

As of today, cord blood stem cells have been used in more than 30,000 transplants to regenerate healthy blood and immune systems.2

Over the last 20 years, cord blood stem cells have been used in the treatment of more than 80 serious diseases and disorders. By helping to replace a patient's damaged blood and immune system, cord blood stem cells help treat and even cure a number of diseases like certain:

Cancers

Immune Diseases

Blood Disorders

Metabolic Disorders

Carol’s Story

See how Carol’s life was transformed after a stem cell transplant.

The Promise of Regenerative Medicine

In addition to saving lives through stem cell transplants, cord blood stem cells have properties that have been shown in the laboratory to help the body repair itself.3

It's estimated that 1 in 3 people in the U.S. may benefit from regenerative therapy in their lifetime.4 When stored properly, newborn stem cells will not "expire". They remain safe and ready for future use, which means their benefits can last a lifetime.5,6

Potential Applications

Cord blood stem cell therapy is being investigated in patients for regenerative medicine applications in FDA-regulated clinical studies for conditions such as:7

Autism affects 1 in 88 children8

Cerebral palsy affects 1 in 303 children9

Pediatric stroke 1 in 4,000 full-term newborns exhibit symptoms10

Traumatic brain injury affects 475,000 children11

Type 1 diabetes 15,000 children are diagnosed every year12

Acquired hearing loss 15 percent of children in the US suffer from hearing loss13

More than 200 clinical trials are seeking to advance treatment options using cord blood stem cells14 in both transplant and regenerative medicine.

Delayed Cord Clamping

Some families are interested in delaying the clamping of the umbilical cord after birth and have questions about how that may impact a cord blood collection.

It is possible to collect the cord blood after delaying cord clamping. It is recommended that healthcare providers do not alter their usual cord clamping practices when delivering a baby whose cord blood will be collected.

your options: cord blood stem cells

Now that you've learned about current and potential future uses, learn more about the options for your baby's stem cells.

Family banking
store the stem cells for your family's exclusive use

Public donation
donate the stem cells to possibly help a patient in need

Free family banking
for families with a medical need

Discard as medical waste

The opportunity to save a baby's potentially lifesaving stem cells happens only once in a lifetime—at birth.

The stem cells could be used by your family to help treat several conditions and may provide you with exclusive access to certain FDA-regulated clinical trials

Access

Your child's stem cells are immediately available should they be needed for treatment

Costs

The first year fee is approximately $1,650, which includes shipping, processing and storage. After the first year, you will be charged an annual storage fee of approximately $150. Don't forget to ask about payment options, as several family banks provide convenient payment plans and gift registry programs.

Why Parents Save Privately

A child needs access to his or her own stem cells to participate in many of today's regenerative medicine clinical trials using cord blood

A child is always a perfect match to his or her own stem cells

A matched sibling donor is usually preferred for transplants

important decision points when choosing a family cord blood bank

Experience

Financial stability

Number of samples in storage

Owns and operates their laboratory

Quality

Measurements for collection quality & reporting results

Publishes results from their laboratory

Storage safety measures and backup systems

Clinical Expertise

Leading role in FDA-regulated clinical trials sponsored by the bank to advance research using cord blood stem cells

Genetic counselors on staff to help patients with medical need

free banking for families with a medical need

How it works

You may qualify for free banking through programs like CBR's Newborn Possibilities if your family may benefit from newborn stem cells now or in the near future

Access

Stem cells are immediately available for use

Costs

Processing and storage for up to 5 years are free of charge; after 5 years, the storage fee is approximately $150 per year

Eligibility

A 1st degree relative (like a parent or a full sibling) of the newborn has been diagnosed with a life-threatening disease currently treatable with a donor stem cell transplant

You are expecting an at-risk baby who may benefit from an investigational treatment using his or her own stem cells

Consult with a family bank or your healthcare provider for more information

Public Donation

How it works

Check with your hospital to see if they participate in a donation program

Requires a screening process and advance registration in most cases

The National Donor Program requires a 60 day advance notice with the processing facility

Medical uses

The sample could be stored for use by a patient in need, used for research, or, if the sample is insufficient, discarded

Access

By donating the cord blood sample, the cells are not kept for the exclusive use of your family; they may be given to the first match with a medical need

Cost

No cost to donate

why Parents Donate

Donation increases the national supply of donor cord blood stem cells available to patients who need a transplant

make your decision well in advance of your due date

If you choose to save your baby's stem cells with a family bank, you'll need to register with the bank and take the collection kit with you to the hospital when you deliver.

If you choose to donate your baby's stem cells, you'll need to register with the public bank so they are prepared to collect the sample after you deliver.

If you choose not to bank for your family or donate, the hospital will discard the stem cells as medical waste.

Register form

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Based on your preferences, you may receive additional information about saving or donating newborn stem cells. A CBR Cord Blood Education Specialist may call to discuss your options and answer any questions you may have.

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